Homecoming 2009

Scotland and Me - A Celebration

Scotland and Me Competition - Winner

The winner of our Scotland and Me Competition is Scott Mackay, a student from Stow College in Glasgow.  Scott's entry "I am Scottish" is an original poem and music set against a montage of images of Scotland and its heritage.  It was inspired by his Scottish roots and Scotland's unique and proud history.  This piece shows what Scotland has to offer the world through its traditions, history, innovations, landscapes, pride and artistic culture.

Scott picked up his prize at the Star Awards Ceremony on 30 October 2009 in Edinburgh in front of an appreciative and enthusiastic audience that included Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.  The prize was handed over by Stephanie McGougan recently named the inspirational Young Scot of 2009.

The Highly Commended winners were Tina Lin from Hutchesons' Grammar School and Karen McCafferty from Glasgow College of Nautical Studies.

Tina’s collage of Burns’ Cottage is made from natural materials and was inspired by the heart-rending background and exalting masterpieces of Robert Burns.

 Tina is not a native Scot but through the work of Burns she feels part of his achievements and part of the Homecoming celebrations.

Her collage is to say ‘thank you’ to Burns for his legacy to Scotland. 

Karen’s poem ‘Deer Land’ was inspired by a writing retreat in Mallaig, where she found herself in writing paradise.

The poem evokes a sense of that area, in particular Morar — what scenery and tranquillity.

The train journey to Mallaig from Glasgow, one of the top train journeys in the world, inspired ‘Deer Land’. 

 SQA's final event to celebrate Scotland's Homecoming Year 2009 was our spectacular Scotland and Me Celebration, held on Monday 23 November in Glasgow. 

Over 400 guests dropped into the event to see a selection of competition entries on display.  They were also entertained by a range of performances that included a Ceilidh Band from Plockton High School, the pipe band of George Watson's College, a Fashion Show from Cardonald College and poets from Glasgow College of Nautical Studies.

You can view the Commemorative Programme (6 MB) here. 

The winner of our competition to receive a signed copy of Addressing the Bard, our Burns anthology was Donald Maciver from Stornoway.  Well done!